U.S. patent number 8,126,477 [Application Number 11/240,323] was granted by the patent office on 2012-02-28 for methods and devices for interworking of wireless wide area networks and wireless local area networks or wireless personal area networks.
This patent grant is currently assigned to QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Subrahmanyam Dravida, Sanjiv Nanda, Shravan K. Surineni, Jay Rodney Walton.
United States Patent |
8,126,477 |
Dravida , et al. |
February 28, 2012 |
Methods and devices for interworking of wireless wide area networks
and wireless local area networks or wireless personal area
networks
Abstract
Embodiments describe methods, systems, and devices that utilize
positional information to determine location of other device and/or
to provide a location-based message. A method can include receiving
a location information of a mobile device and using an access point
to transmit location information to one or more other devices that
do not include location functionality that are in communication
with the mobile device. The method can further include transmitting
a message to the mobile device based at least in part on the
received access location information. In another embodiment, the
method can include receiving a user preference data from the mobile
device or one or more other devices and transmitting a
communication to the mobile device or one or more other devices
that conforms to the user preference data.
Inventors: |
Dravida; Subrahmanyam
(Shrewsbury, MA), Walton; Jay Rodney (Carlisle, MA),
Nanda; Sanjiv (Ramona, CA), Surineni; Shravan K.
(Marlborough, MA) |
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM Incorporated (San
Diego, CA)
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Family
ID: |
37606953 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/240,323 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070010261 A1 |
Jan 11, 2007 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60697504 |
Jul 7, 2005 |
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60712320 |
Aug 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.3;
370/465; 370/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S
5/0009 (20130101); H04W 8/245 (20130101); H04L
67/18 (20130101); H04W 4/02 (20130101); H04L
67/306 (20130101); H04W 4/20 (20130101); H04L
12/5692 (20130101); H04W 4/029 (20180201); H04W
48/08 (20130101); H04W 64/00 (20130101); H04W
88/08 (20130101); H04W 48/20 (20130101); H04W
84/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
24/00 (20090101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/456.3 |
References Cited
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Primary Examiner: Patel; Ajit
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Corie; Florine C. Millkovsky;
Dmitry R.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) from
U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/697,504 entitled
METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INTERWORKING OF WIRELESS WIDE AREA NETWORKS
AND WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS OR WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORKS
filed Jul. 7, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/712,320 filed Aug. 29, 2005 the entirety of which is hereby
incorporated by reference. This application is related to
co-pending patent application Ser. No. 11/240,045 to be determined
entitled, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INTERWORKING OF WIRELESS WIDE
AREA NETWORKS AND WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS OR WIRELESS PERSONAL
AREA NETWORKS and co-pending patent application Ser. No. 11/240,725
to be determined entitled, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INTERWORKING OF
WIRELESS WIDE AREA NETWORKS AND WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS OR
WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORKS, both filed on the same day as this
application.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for determining a location of a mobile device,
comprising: receiving position information from a first mobile
device; and transmitting the position information of the first
mobile device using a first wireless network to a collocated second
mobile device, the second mobile device lacking location
functionality, wherein the position information is operable by the
second mobile device to determine whether to access a second
wireless network, selected from one or more of a wireless wide area
network (WWAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a wireless
personal area network (WPAN).
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a call
initialization from the second mobile device and, in response,
transmitting the position information to the second mobile
device.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: transmitting a
message to the second mobile device, the transmitted message
selected from the group consisting of a location-based service, a
location-based marketing, and a location based sales message.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending a multimedia
message to the second mobile device based in part on the position
information.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: supplying a retail
offer to the second mobile device based on the position information
and a user preference.
6. The method of claim further comprising: receiving a user
preference from the second mobile device; and transmitting a
message to the second mobile device that conforms to the user
preference.
7. The method of claim 1, the position information is obtained
through a WWAN or GPS or through a WLAN for non-location based
devices.
8. A method for determining a location of a mobile device,
comprising: requesting a position estimate by the mobile device
using a first wireless network, the mobile device lacking location
functionality; receiving using the first wireless network the
position estimate from an access point, the position estimate based
on position information of a collocated second mobile device; and
determining by the mobile device based on the received position
estimate whether to access a second wireless network selected
from-one or more of a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless
local area network (WLAN) or a wireless personal area network
(WPAN).
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: transmitting a user
preference to the access point; and receiving a message from the
access point, the message based in part on the user preference.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the message is transmitted
through a WWAN or a WLAN or a WPAN access point.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining whether
to utilize the WWAN or the WLAN or the WPAN based upon applications
available according to the position estimate.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining whether
to utilize the WWAN or the WLAN or the WPAN based on network
characteristics received from the access point.
13. The method of claim 12, the network characteristics comprise
network type, cost of service, signal strength, number of
identified access points, bandwidth, or available applications.
14. A mobile device, comprising: a memory that stores information
related to a user multimedia preference; a receiver operable to
receive using a first wireless network a position estimate of the
mobile device, the position estimate being based on position
information of a collocated second mobile device; and a processor
configured to determine based on the received position estimate
whether to access a second wireless network, selected from one or
more of a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless local area
network (WLAN) or a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and
determine if a multimedia message received via the second wireless
network should be presented to a user of the mobile device based in
part on the position estimate and the information.
15. An apparatus for receiving multimedia content based on location
and a user preference, comprising: means for generating apparatus
position estimate, the position estimate being based on position
information of a collocated mobile device; means for transmitting
the position estimate through a WLAN component that provides WLAN
functionality; means for determining based on the received position
estimate whether to access a second wireless network, selected from
one or more of a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless
local area network (WLAN) or a wireless personal area network
(WPAN); means for receiving a location-based multimedia content via
the selected second wireless network; and means for selectively
presenting the location-based multimedia content to a user.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: means for
storing a user preference; wherein the means for selectively
presenting the location-based multimedia comprises means for
determining whether the location-based multimedia content matches
the user preference.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: means for
determining a network to utilize based at least in part on
applications available at the apparatus location.
18. A processor that executes instructions for determining a
location in a wireless communication network, comprising:
requesting a position estimate from an access point for a first
mobile device, the position estimate based on position information
of a collocated second mobile device having location functionality;
receiving the position estimate; determining, for the first mobile
device and based on the received position estimate whether to
access a second wireless network, selected from one or more of a
wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless local area network
(WLAN) or a wireless personal area network (WPAN); and transmitting
the position estimate with a voice message using the selected
second wireless network.
19. A method for providing location-based services, comprising:
establishing a wireless communication link between a first device
and at least a collocated second device via a first wireless
network; communicating position information associated with the
first device to the at least a second device via the first wireless
network; determining based on the received position information
whether to access a second wireless network, selected from one or
more of a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless local area
network (WLAN) or a wireless personal area network (WPAN); and
tailoring a location-based service via the selected second wireless
network for the second device based in part on the communicated
position information associated with the first device.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: tailoring the
location-based service for the first device based in part on the
position information associated with the first device; transmitting
the location-based service to the second device; and transmitting
the location-based service from the second device to the first
device.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: transmitting the
position information associated with the first device from the
second device to at least a third device; and tailoring the
location-based service for the third device based in part on the
position information associated with the first device.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the location-based service
comprises a multimedia message.
23. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the processor is further
configured to determine whether to utilize the WWAN or the WLAN or
the WPAN based upon applications available according to the
position estimate.
24. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the processor is further
configured to determine whether to utilize the WWAN or the WLAN or
the WPAN based on network characteristics.
25. The mobile device of claim 24, wherein the network
characteristics comprise at least one of network type, cost of
service, signal strength, number of identified access points,
bandwidth, or available applications.
26. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a
processor, cause the processor to perform a method for determining
a location of a mobile device comprising: receiving position
information from a first mobile device; and transmitting the
position information of the first mobile device using a first
wireless network to a collocated second mobile device, the second
mobile device lacking location functionality, wherein the position
information is operable by the second mobile device to determine
whether to access a second wireless network, selected from one or
more of a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless local area
network (WLAN) or a wireless personal area network (WPAN).
27. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a
processor, cause the processor to perform a method for determining
a location of a mobile device comprising: requesting a position
estimate by the mobile device using a first wireless network, the
mobile device lacking location functionality; receiving using the
first wireless network the position estimate from an access point,
the position estimate based on position information of a collocated
second mobile device; and determining by the mobile device based on
the received position estimate whether to access a second wireless
network selected from-one or more of a wireless wide area network
(WWAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a wireless personal
area network (WPAN).
Description
BACKGROUND
I. Field
The following description relates generally to wireless networks
and, amongst other things, to seamless interworking of
communication between wireless wide-area networks (WWAN), wireless
local area networks (WLAN), and/or wireless personal area networks
(WPAN).
II. Background
Electronic devices can include multiple communication protocols.
For example, mobile devices have become multifunctional devices,
frequently providing email, Internet access, as well as traditional
cellular communication. Mobile devices can be equipped with wide
area wireless connectivity, for example, utilizing either or both
of the following technologies: third generation wireless or
cellular systems (3G) or Institute for Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 (WiMax) and other to-be-defined WWAN
technologies. Meanwhile, IEEE 802.11 based WLAN connectivity is
being installed in mobile devices as well. On the horizon,
ultra-wideband (UWB) and/or Bluetooth-based WPAN local connectivity
may also be available in mobile devices.
Other examples of multiple communication protocols in electronic
devices include a laptop that may include a WPAN utilized to
connect the laptop to a wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, and the
like. In addition, the laptop may include a device which operates
on any currently defined IEEE 802.11 protocols (IEEE
802.11a/b/g/i/e) or other to-be-defined protocols in the IEEE
802.11 family (e.g. IEEE 802.11n/s/r/p). WLAN has become popular
and, for example, is being set up in both homes and enterprises for
personal and business purposes. In addition, coffee shops, Internet
cafes, libraries and public and private organizations utilize
WLANs.
WWAN technologies are distinguished by wide area (ubiquitous)
coverage and wide area deployments. However, they can suffer from
building penetration losses, coverage holes and comparatively, to
WLAN and WPAN, limited bandwidth. WLAN and WPAN technologies
deliver very high data rates, approaching hundreds of Mbps, but
coverage is typically limited to hundreds of feet in the case of
WLAN and tens of feet in the case of WPAN.
The number of networks and protocols continues to increase rapidly
due to demands for functionality associated with unique user
demands and divergent protocols. Such disparate networks and
protocols are laborious for a user to switch between and in many
cases the user is trapped in a network without regard to what might
be the optimal network for the user at a given time. In view of the
foregoing, there is a need to provide for seamless transition
between networks and/or protocols for optimizing and converging on
the best communication protocol for the user.
SUMMARY
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more
embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive
overview of the one or more embodiments, and is intended to neither
identify key or critical elements of the embodiments nor delineate
the scope of such embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some
concepts of the described embodiments in a simplified form as a
prelude to the more detailed description presented later.
As individuals migrate through a plurality of different type of
networks and protocols, the embodiments herein provide for seamless
transition of a user through the various networks and protocols in
order to facilitate smooth, seamless communication. Embodiments
provide various optimization technologies to transition between the
various networks and protocols and this transition can be based on
a user preference, user location, signal strength, and/or other
criteria. Such a seamless transition can be transparent to the user
or can be user initiated.
According to a feature is a method for transmitting location
information of a mobile device. The method includes receiving
location information of a mobile device and using an access point
to transmit location information to one or more other devices that
do not include location functionality that are in communication
with the mobile device. A message can be transmitted to the mobile
device based at least in part on the received access location
information.
According to another feature is a method for determining a device
location. The method can include requesting position estimation of
a mobile device that does not have location functionality and
receiving the position estimation from an access point, the
position estimation can be based on position information received
from a device with location functionality. Voice data can be
generated for communication along with the location
information.
According to another aspect is a mobile device that includes a
memory that stores information related to a user multimedia
preference. Further included in the mobile device is a processor
that analyzes information stored in the memory and determines if a
received multimedia message should be communicated to a user of the
mobile device based in part on a user location. According to
another aspect, the mobile device includes a WLAN component
configured to provide WLAN functionality and a WWAN component
configured to provide WWAN functionality. A transceiver can be
coupled to the WWAN component and WLAN component, the transceiver
configured to transmit location information of the mobile device
generated with respect to the WWAN component.
Still another aspect is an apparatus for receiving multimedia
content based on location and a user preference. The apparatus
includes means for generating apparatus location information and
means for transmitting the location information through a WLAN
component that provides WLAN functionality. Also included is a
means for receiving a location-based multimedia content and means
for selectively communicating the multimedia content to a user.
Yet another aspect is a computer-readable medium having stored
thereon computer-executable instructions for communicating position
information to an access point, storing a user-preference relating
to location-based messages, and selectively accepting a
location-based message based in part on the user-preference. The
location-based message can be accepted if it conforms to the
user-preference. If it does not conform to a user preference, the
location-based message is not accepted.
Yet another aspect is a processor that executes instructions for
determining a location in a wireless communication network. The
instructions include requesting position estimation from an access
point and receiving the position estimation from an access point,
the position estimation can be based on position information
received from a device with location functionality. The
instructions further communicate the position estimation with a
voice message.
Still another aspect is a method for providing location-based
services. The method includes establishing a wireless communication
network between a first device and at least a second device.
Location information associated with the first device is
communicated to at least a second device. A location-based service
is tailored for the second device based in part on the communicated
location information associated with the first device.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or
more embodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described
and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative aspects of the one or more embodiments. These aspects
are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which
the principles of various embodiments may be employed and the
described embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and
their equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system in accordance
with various embodiments presented herein.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a multiple access wireless
communication system according to one or more embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mobile device.
FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology for determining the type of
network to which the mobile device should connect.
FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of another embodiment of a
mobile device.
FIG. 6 illustrates a methodology for locating a call received from
a user of a mobile device that utilizes a GPS functionality
component.
FIG. 7 illustrates another methodology for locating a wireless
device (e.g., mobile phone) that does not utilize a GPS
receiver.
FIG. 8 illustrates a methodology for utilizing access points within
a WWAN, WLAN, and/or WPAN network.
FIG. 9 illustrates a methodology for utilizing location information
to seamlessly switch a mobile device between WWAN and
WLAN/WPAN.
FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a methodology for
utilizing location information to automatically enhance service(s)
of the mobile device.
FIG. 11 illustrates a methodology of providing an ad-hoc network in
situations where there is no available access point.
FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary self-configuring ad-hoc network
that can be constructed utilizing WLAN and WWAN technologies.
FIG. 13 illustrates a methodology for utilizing WLAN and WWAN
technologies to construct a self-configuring ad-hoc network.
FIG. 14 illustrates a methodology for initializing neighbor lists
on the WWAN control channel to facilitate synchronization of access
terminals.
FIG. 15 illustrates peer-to-peer communication in a WLAN
network.
FIG. 16 illustrates a methodology for registration and/or
authentication in an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)
network.
FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary ad-hoc mesh network.
FIG. 18 illustrates a system that coordinates communication between
multiple communication protocols in a wireless communication
environment in accordance with one or more embodiments presented
herein.
FIG. 19 illustrates a system that coordinates communication in
wireless communication environment in accordance with various
aspects.
FIG. 20 illustrates a wireless communication environment that can
be employed in conjunction with the various systems and methods
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments are now described with reference to the
drawings. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be
evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures
and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate
describing these embodiments.
As used in this application, the terms "component," "system," and
the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either
hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software,
software, or software in execution. For example, a component may
be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor,
a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a
program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an
application running on a computing device and the computing device
can be a component. One or more components can reside within a
process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized
on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.
In addition, these components can execute from various computer
readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The
components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes
such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets
(e.g., data from one component interacting with another component
in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such
as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal).
The disclosed embodiments can incorporate various heuristic and/or
inference schemes and/or techniques in connection with dynamically
changing networks or communications protocols employed. As used
herein, the term "inference" refers generally to the process of
reasoning about or inferring states of the system, environment,
and/or user from a set of observations as captured though events
and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a specific
context or action, or can generate a probability distribution over
states, for example. The inference can be probabilistic--that is,
the computation of a probability distribution over states of
interest based on a consideration of data and events. Inference can
also refer to techniques employed for composing higher-level events
from a set of events and/or data. Such inference results in the
construction of new events or actions from a set of observed events
and/or stored event data, whether or not the events are correlated
in close temporal proximity, and whether the events and data come
from one or several event and data sources.
Accordingly, it is contemplated that users can be automatically
shifted or outside of and into different communications regions in
accordance with the embodiments described herein. Automatic action
(e.g., seamlessly transitioning a user during a communication
session from a WWAN to a WLAN) can be taken as a function of
inferring a user's intentions with respect to handling of the
communications session as well as tertiary communications,
passive/background communications, and upcoming sessions. With
respect to taking automatic action, machine learning techniques can
be implemented to facilitate performing automatic action. Moreover,
utility based analyses (e.g., factoring benefit of taking correct
automatic action versus costs of taking incorrect action) can be
incorporated into performing the automatic action. More
particularly, these artificial intelligence (AI) based aspects can
be implemented by any suitable machine learning based technique
and/or statistical-based techniques and/or probabilistic-based
techniques. For example, the use of expert systems, fuzzy logic,
support vector machines, greedy search algorithms, rule-based
systems, Bayesian models (e.g., Bayesian networks), neural
networks, other non-linear training techniques, data fusion,
utility-based analytical systems, systems employing Bayesian
models, . . . are contemplated and are intended to fall within the
scope of the hereto appended claims.
Furthermore, various embodiments are described herein in connection
with a subscriber station. A subscriber station can also be called
a system, a subscriber unit, mobile station, mobile, remote
station, access point, base station, remote terminal, access
terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user equipment. A
subscriber station may be a cellular telephone, a cordless
telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless
local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
handheld device having wireless connection capability, or other
processing device connected to a wireless modem.
Moreover, various aspects or features described herein may be
implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using
standard programming and/or engineering techniques. The term
"article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a
computer program accessible from any computer-readable device,
carrier, or media. For example, computer readable media can include
but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk,
floppy disk, magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact
disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and
flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive . . . ).
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless
communication system 100 in accordance with various embodiments
presented herein. System 100 can comprise one or more access
point(s) 102 that receive, transmit, repeat, etc., wireless
communication signals to each other and/or to one or more mobile
devices 104. Access point(s) 102 can represent an interface between
wireless system 100 and a wired network (not shown).
Each access point 102 can comprise a transmitter chain and a
receiver chain, each of which can in turn comprise a plurality of
components associated with signal transmission and reception (e.g.,
processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers,
antennas, . . . ). Mobile devices 104 can be, for example, cellular
phones, smart phones, laptops, handheld communication devices,
handheld computing devices, satellite radios, global positioning
systems, PDAs, and/or other suitable devices for communicating over
wireless system 100. In wireless system 100, the periodic
transmission of small data packets (commonly referred to as
beacons) from access point 102 can make known the presence of
wireless system 100 and transmit system 100 information. Mobile
devices 104 can sense the beacons and attempt to establish a
wireless connection to access points 102 and/or to other mobile
devices 104.
System 100 facilitates seamless transition through various networks
and/or protocols to provide a user using mobile device 104 the
ability to take advantage of the available networks and protocols.
System 100 also automatically affords the user the opportunity to
utilize the best network and/or protocol given the current location
or data usage of the user as well as other users of the
network.
A component located in mobile device 104 can operate in conjunction
with one or more access point 102 to facilitate monitoring which
user is in each network and can be facilitated though a GPS
component and/or WWAN component associated with mobile device 104.
Alternatively or in addition, location information can be provided
from a WLAN access point to a WLAN component associated with a
mobile device that does not include a GPS or other location
component(s). The location information can be provided to mobile
device(s) that do not have location capabilities through location
information obtained through GPS or WAN capable multi-mode access
terminal(s) that are in proximity or communication with access
point 104 (including receiving and transmitting beacons).
The location information can be utilized to predict which user is
best suited to have a transparent handoff to a secondary network.
For example, in an open area mall a user can be using mobile device
104 connected to a general wideband network. Mobile device 104 can
seamlessly switch to Bluetooth, a narrower band, etc. as the user
approaches a specific merchant. The network to which the mobile
device is switched can be a function of the content which the user
desires pushed or pulled to mobile device 104.
Since the merchant networks can overlap due to dynamics of a
shopping mall, mobile device 104 can seamlessly switch between the
various merchant networks autonomously without interaction from the
user. System 100 allows the networks to cooperate with each other
and handoff mobile device 104 from one network to another. This can
be accomplished with a GPS component that can monitor the location
of the user and the desired content to be pushed/pulled to the
device.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a multiple access wireless
communication system according to one or more embodiments.
Illustrated is a system 200 that includes a WLAN associated with a
wired local area network (LAN). Access point 102 can be in
communication with mobile devices 104. Access point 102 is
connected to an Ethernet hub or switch 202 for a LAN. Ethernet hub
202 may be connected to one or more electronic devices 204 that can
include personal computers, peripheral devices (e.g., facsimile
machines, copiers, printers, scanners, etc.), servers, and the
like. Ethernet hub 202 can be connected to a router 206 that
transmits data packets to a modem 208. Modem 208 can transmit data
packets to a wide area network (WAN) 210, such as the Internet.
System 200 illustrates a single, simple network configuration. Many
additional configurations of system 200 including alternative
electronic devices are possible. Although system 200 has been
illustrated and describe with reference to a LAN, it is possible
that system 200 can utilize other technologies including WWAN
and/or WPAN either separately or concurrently.
System 200 can facilitate mobile device 104 seamlessly switching
between an access point currently being utilized by mobile device
140 to assess point 102 associated with system 200. Such transfer
to access point 102 and to the network supported by access point
102 can be selected to provide user of mobile device 104 a sought
after functionality and can be a function of the mobile device 104
location or the data the user desires to access or upload to mobile
device 104. By way of example and not limitation, the wireless
device can be coupled to electronic device(s) 204 to utilize the
WWAN and/or WLAN functionality available through the electronic
device(s) 204. Such a transition can be user initiated or performed
autonomously by system 200.
FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a
mobile device 300. Mobile device 300 can include WWAN (e.g.,
Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), which is a technology that
utilizes spread-spectrum techniques), WLAN (e.g., IEEE 802.11)
and/or related technologies. Mobile device 300 can be utilized as a
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone. VoIP includes the
transmission of voice telephone conversation through the Internet
and/or through IP networks. VoIP can be utilized by mobile device
300 at home or when it is in vicinity of a wireless access point
(WAP) connected to a broadband network that provides VoIP services.
In other situations, mobile device 300 can work as a regular
wireless mobile phone while providing communication services.
In an embodiment, a WWAN component 302 that provides WWAN
functionality and a WLAN component 304 that provides WLAN
functionality are located together and are capable of communication
with a transceiver 308 through a bus 306 or other structures or
devices. It should be understood that communication means other
than busses could be utilize with the disclosed embodiments.
Transceiver 308 is coupled to one or more antennas 310 to allow
transmission and/or reception by mobile device 300. WLAN component
304 can generate voice data provided to transceiver 308 for
communication. In an embodiment, WWAN functionality component 302
and/or WLAN functionality component 304 can be included in a
processor of mobile device 300. In another embodiment, WWAN
functionality and WLAN functionality can be provided by distinct
integrated circuits. In a further embodiment, WWAN functionality
and WLAN functionality can be provided by one or more integrated
circuits including functionality that is utilized by both. Mobile
device 300 is equipped with connectivity options for the wide area
(WWAN) and local area (WLAN and WPAN) to allow a rich combination
of services and user experiences.
The WLAN functionality component 304 can include an optional WPAN
functionally component 312. Mobile device 300 can connect to either
the WWAN or WLAN and WPAN, or to both simultaneously, based upon
one or more criteria that relates to functions of the mobile
device. The criteria can be stored in a memory of the mobile device
and a processor can analyze a network based on the stored criteria.
These criteria and related connection determination are described
with reference to FIG. 4, which illustrates a methodology 400 for
determining the type of network to which mobile device should
connect. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the
methodologies are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to
be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not
limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with
these methodologies, occur in different orders and/or concurrently
with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example,
those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a
methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of
interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.
Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement the
following methodologies.
The method starts at 402 with a request by mobile device to access
a network. The network can be a WWAN, a WLAN, and/or a WPAN. When
the request is sent one or more access points associated with the
network(s) can receive the request and respond with network
information that can include characteristics of each network. For
example, mobile device can receive network type information,
bandwidth information, cost of service, available applications,
signal strength, number of identified access points, etc.
At about the same time as receiving the network information, mobile
device can analyze certain criteria, at 406, in order to make a
determination as to what network connection will provide the best
results for the user of mobile device. For example, the criteria
can include the bandwidth available to the mobile device based upon
bandwidth necessities of the application(s) being utilized by the
mobile device or applications to be downloaded to the mobile
device. In other embodiments, the criteria can be the cost to the
user of mobile device of the WWAN and/or WLAN (e.g., the lowest
cost service provider). In a further embodiment, the determination
can be based upon the application(s) available using the WWAN
and/or the WLAN. In additional embodiments, the criteria can be the
best coverage available to the mobile device in its current
location (e.g., based upon signal strength or number of identified
access points for the WWAN and/or the WLAN). Other embodiments can
combine one or more of the above-identified criteria as well as
other criteria that can be defined by the user of mobile device or
by the service provider. The criteria can be embodied in the WWAN
functionality component, WLAN functionality component, both the
WWAN functionality component and WLAN functionality component or
another controller residing in the mobile device.
Based upon the criteria analyzed, at 406, mobile device can
connect, at 408, to the WWAN or the WLAN and WPAN separately. In a
further embodiment, mobile device can connect to both the WWAN and
WLAN and WPAN simultaneously. The determination whether to connect
separately or simultaneously is based upon the analyzed criteria
and the best connection possible to satisfy the one or more
criteria.
The interworking between the WWAN and WLAN (and WPAN) can involve
multiple wireless networking providers, multiple service providers
and databases of available connectivity options by location, or
other heterogeneous network topologies. For example, the WWAN
service provider may maintain an up-to-date database of available
networking and services by location as new access points are added
by network service providers or private entities for WLAN and/or
WPAN functionality (e.g., access points provided by private
companies or the like). Moreover, in some embodiments, the WWAN can
extend its connectivity by exploiting the presence of a WLAN and/or
WPAN multi-hop mesh that is not established by a service provider.
In a multi-hop mesh network, small nodes that act as simple routers
can be installed. Each node then transmits a low power signal that
can reach other nearby nodes. These nearby nodes transmit to
another node that is nearby. This process can be repeated until the
data reaches its final destination.
The combination of these technologies in mobile devices enables new
types of usage models and services that are not available from each
technology (WWAN, WLAN, and/or WPAN) individually. These
applications created by the interactions between WWAN and WLAN
technologies can be classified into a number of areas. For example,
these technologies can be classified into location-based services,
timing based services, and/or topology based services. Location
based services can include emergency situations where the location
of a mobile device user needs to be ascertained to provide such
emergency services, however the embodiments described herein are
not limited to emergency services. For example, users of mobile
devices (end user) may desire location based billing services.
These types of services include those services in which users are
billed at different rates depending upon the location of the user.
For example, the user might have one rate if the user is at home
and a different rate when the user is in the office (or other work
place) or at an Internet kiosk or cafe. In another embodiment,
location information can be utilized to provide multimedia content
that can be downloaded to the mobile device. This multimedia
content can be location dependent based upon whether the user is in
a sports stadium or a shopping mall for which different multimedia
content can be provided.
Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a simplified block diagram
of another embodiment of a mobile device 500. In an embodiment,
WWAN component 502 that provides WWAN functionality and WLAN
component 504 that provides WLAN functionality are located within
mobile device 500 and are capable of communication with transceiver
508 through a bus 506 or other structures or devices. Transceiver
508 is coupled to one or more antennas 510 to allow transmission
and reception by mobile device 500. The WLAN functionality
component 504 can include an optional WPAN functionality component
512. In addition, a Global Positioning Service (GPS) functionality
component 514 can be provided to allow for positional and/or timing
based functionality. A number of applications utilizing the
position or location information and timing based functionality can
be provided.
For example, in a retail mall or shopping center (indoor and/or
outdoor), retail establishments may have access points that are
maintained by the same or different service providers. As a user
walks around the mall, different access points may pick up the user
at the same time. Since there may be some overlap of the WLANs
because of the location of the retail establishments, the precise
or an approximate location of the user can be established through a
GPS component or other locating means. If the user is close to a
music store or video kiosk, etc. the user can receive an offer from
the retail establishment to buy a movie or music. The retail
establishment can recommend the offer by utilizing the location of
the user, since the system(s) know where the user is located. The
offer can also be based on a user preference that was previous
established by the user, either internally in the mobile device or
externally by the service provider. The user can chose to take
advantage of the offer or to reject the offer. It is to be
understood that if a user preference is known, certain retail
establishments can be prevented from offering unwanted services to
the user.
If the user chooses to download a movie, for example, the user can
access a WAN and pay for the movie with a credit card and/or a
pre-established payment method (e.g., e-wallet). After confirmation
of the payment, the user can receive the selected movie along with
the rights, management, and other features associated with owning
the particular movie. Different networks may be used to deliver the
rights and the content. In one scenario, the rights may be
delivered using a WWAN while the content itself is accessed through
the WLAN. The actual service (e.g., movie) can be accessed through
the WLAN or WWAN, depending on the requirements. A DVD, for
example, can be downloaded to the mobile device through the WLAN
because of the data throughput. Determination of which
functionality to utilize to upload the data can be decided by a
WWAN component that provides WWAN functionality, a WLAN component
that provides WLAN functionality, or a combination of both a WWAN
component and a WLAN component. The determination can also be made
by a controller or processor associated with the mobile device.
FIG. 6 illustrates a methodology 600 for locating a call received
from a user of a mobile device that utilizes a GPS functionality
component. The method begins at 602 when a call is initiated by
user of mobile device. This call can be an emergency phone call
(e.g., 911 call) or it can be a call that is non-emergency. In an
embodiment, when the call is initiated, at 602, a signaling message
based on a session initiation protocol (SIP) can carry the location
information supplied by the GPS functionality component. The SIP is
a signaling protocol that can be utilized for initiating,
modifying, and terminating an interactive user session that can
include optional multimedia elements, such as Internet
conferencing, telephone, event notification, video, instant
messaging, online games, and/or virtual reality. The location
information can be carried, at 604, to a VoIP Call Agent, for
example. Thus, if an emergency situation arises, the VoIP call
agent has the location information and knows the location of the
caller. The VoIP call agent can supply this information to the
appropriate agencies, at 606. This is useful when the caller does
not know the calling location and/or cannot communicate such
information to the call recipient.
In another embodiment, the call can be made outside the coverage
area of the user's home network/WLAN. For example, the WLAN AP may
be located in a user's home and the user may be talking on a mobile
phone in such user's backyard. As the user is talking the user may
be walking around and wander (intentionally and/or unintentionally)
onto the coverage area serviced by a different WLAN. In another
embodiment, the user may take the mobile phone to a distant
location (e.g., friend's house, relative's house, school).
In another embodiment, a call is initiated, at 602. If the mobile
device is in a location that has broadband access through a
wireless access point (WAP), the mobile device utilizes such
broadband access, at 608. The location of the mobile device can be
provided, at 610, during the call, through a transceiver that can
transmit the location information obtained utilizing the WWAN
interface of the device. Voice data, generated by a WLAN
functionality, can be provided to the transceiver for communication
that is sent with the location information. This methodology can be
utilized, for example, in a school or educational setting where a
child can use a handset to make an emergency (or non-emergency)
call. The handset can take advantage of the broadband access
provided by the school and/or other facility to locate the user
(child) and provide the information to the call recipient (e.g.
police, fire department). Thus, the child (or other person) can be
located without such child needing to communicate location
information.
With reference now to FIG. 7, illustrated is a methodology 700 for
locating a wireless device (e.g., mobile phone) that does not
utilize a GPS receiver or GPS component that provides GPS
functionality. Single mode access terminals are those that have a
single functionality such as WLAN or WPAN. For example, mobile
phones that handle VoIP in a home generally do not utilize embedded
GPS technology. However, in some situations (e.g., emergency) it
may still be important to determine the location of a mobile device
that does not have GPS technology. Even when the device is away
from the home because the user has transported the device to
different location (e.g., educational facility, friend's house),
the location of the device can still be determined. This
determination can be based upon the known location of other
device(s) that are in the vicinity of the mobile device that does
not utilize GPS technology. The vicinity may include the same
access point and/or access points within a certain geographic area
of the access point utilized by the mobile phone without GPS
technology.
The location determination begins, at 702, when a call is initiated
by a user of a mobile device without GPS technology. The mobile
device contacts an access point to place the call. The access point
can have a listing or concurrently receive information from dual
mode device(s) (e.g., one that utilizes WLAN, WPAN, and/or GPS
functionality). The dual mode device(s) can provide its location
information to the access point or to other WLAN stations (user
terminals) depending on the mode of operation (infrastructure or
ad-hoc) through a control or management message. The access point
that has the location information from the dual access terminal can
broadcast this information in an infrastructure network. Other user
terminals in the vicinity of the access point can use the
information for location management, at 708. VoIP access terminals
can use the location information in SIP signaling messages to
indicate location information, at 710. The location information can
be utilized for location-based services and/or for providing
marketing and/or sales messages to the mobile device(s), at 712. If
a user is in a retail outlet, such as an outdoor or indoor mall,
the location information can also be utilized to provide the user
of mobile device information regarding particular retail
information. It should be understood that marketing and/or
advertising is optional, as shown by the dotted lines, and may not
be utilized with the disclosed embodiments.
The location of a user that is inside a building can be roughly
approximated because the user enters the building from a particular
place, which is the user's last known coordinate. The last known
coordinate can be latched or maintained by the access terminal
until such time as the user exits the building and a GPS
functionality and/or other locating means can be utilized to
establish the new location. When the user exits the building or
structure, the access terminal will acquire its current position
though the GPS or other locating means. In addition, there can be a
plurality of users who enter the building and the last known
coordinate of each user can be combined to construct a range
determination for a particular access point (WLAN) and/or base
station (WAN). The access point (WLAN) can determine its position
with respect to the base station (WAN) and/or with respect to any
devices that feedback location information to the access point.
Thus, even thought the access point might not have a means to
determine its own location, the location information is provided
through the mobile devices that access that access point.
FIG. 8 illustrates a methodology 800 for utilizing access points
within a WWAN, WLAN, and/or WPAN network. A mobile device having
WWAN and WLAN and/or WPAN functionality can receive accurate
network timing from, for example, a GPS receiver that can be
located on the mobile device or through the pilot signaling of a
WWAN. This timing can be utilized for Quality of Service (QoS)
and/or handoff management. A mobile device in the region and/or
vicinity of hot spots or multiple access points can receive a
beacon from an access point, at 802. Upon receipt of the beacon,
the mobile device can time stamp the arrival time of the beacon, at
804, utilizing internal GPS functionality or relative to the WWAN
timing obtained through the WWAN interface. The beacon information
can include an access point identifier, access point location,
current network load at the WLAN AP, etc. The stamped arrival time
and other information can be sent by the mobile device to a Network
Management (NM) system, at 806, through, for example, a WWAN link.
The NM system maintains a list of the access points and/or arrival
times, at 808. This information can be maintained by a database or
memory associated with the NM system. The NM system for the WWAN
and/or WLAN, for example, maintains a list of the detected access
points in the area of the WLAN/WPAN, the channels the access points
are using and/or their beacon transmission time, and the current
load at each AP. The user can utilize this information in selecting
an appropriate AP and/or network to join.
The NM system can send the mobile device, at 810, a listing of the
access points in the area to which the mobile device can connect.
The access point listing can include respective channels and/or
beacon transmission times and the current load at the access points
as well as other information collected and maintained by the NM
system, at 808.
In another embodiment, the mobile device (e.g., access terminal)
can tune to each of the access points at beacon times and measure
the received channel quality information (e.g., SNR). The mobile
device can share the information about the link quality of the
current network and other networks with the current AP. This
information can be passed to the NM system, at 808, and can be made
accessible to other users. In such a manner, handoff management for
WLAN/WPAN can be provided. In addition or alternatively, this
information can be broadcast by each access point through specific
signaling and/or through an information element beacon. The
information element beacon can be utilized by the mobile device(s)
in the vicinity of the access point to update the NM system or
neighborhood network information.
In another embodiment, location information can be utilized to
seamlessly switch the mobile device between the WWAN and WLAN/WPAN,
as illustrated in the methodology 900 of FIG. 9. The method begins,
at 902, where location information of a mobile device can be made
available through a GPS functionality component or other locating
means (e.g., triangulation, location of other devices in the
vicinity, . . . ). At 904, an indication that the signal quality
available through a WWAN is poor can be sent to the mobile device.
For example, the mobile device can indicate that a particular
bandwidth and/or signal strength should be available to carry out a
particular function and/or satisfy the requirement/quality of
service for a particular link for that device and if the link
conditions do not meet these requirements and/or quality level, a
message can be sent to and/or generated by mobile device. The
information regarding system requirements (e.g., bandwidth, signal
strength, . . . ) can be stored in a memory of the mobile device
and may be based upon information provided by a service provider
and/or a user as it relates to one or more device application. A
processor associated with the mobile device can analyze the stored
information and determine if the system requirements are satisfied.
If the requirements are satisfied, the device can connect to the
current network. If the requirements are not satisfied, the device
can search for a network that satisfies the device
requirements.
For example, the WLAN functionality can detect, at 906, beacons and
determine the signal strength and/or bandwidth available at the
WLAN access point. This information can be utilized by the mobile
device, through a WWAN and/or WLAN functionality component, at 908,
for example, to make a determination to switch from WWAN to WLAN if
the bandwidth and/or signal strength is superior on the WLAN than
on the WWAN. The information can also be utilized to switch from
WLAN to WWAN. It should be appreciated that the transition from
WLAN to WWAN and/or WWAN to WLAN is seamless and the user of such
device may not be aware that there has been a switch in the type of
network.
In another embodiment, the signal strength and/or bandwidth
determined, at 906, can be utilized to couple with other devices,
at 910. For example, if the mobile device allows connectivity with
other devices, the mobile device can be coupled to those other
devices. In such a manner, the mobile device utilizes the
connection provided through the WLAN. By way of example and not
limitation, the wireless device can be coupled to a computer to
utilize the WWAN and/or WLAN functionality available through the
computer.
FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a methodology 1000 for
utilizing location information to automatically enhance service(s)
of the mobile device. For example, a video telephone call can start
on an access terminal through a WWAN. Through, for example,
insufficient bandwidth on the WWAN, the video and/or graphics
resolution may be or become poor. Alternatively or in addition, a
user can start the conference at an office and during the
conference might desire to move to another location (e.g., home,
coffee shop, library, . . . ). This includes the situation where a
late-night call is placed to accommodate callers that are in
different time zones. The call can start at one location and during
the conversation either or both parties can move to a different
location. The call can continue without interruptions as the
user(s) change location and the mobile device can be seamlessly
authenticated as it is moved through different access points and/or
networks.
When the mobile device moves into the proximity of an access point
(e.g., WWAN access point), at 1002, the location information
provided by a GPS component or other locating means of the mobile
device can be sent to a Network Management (NM) system. The NM
system can prompt the access terminal to look for the access point,
at 1004, and provide information about the WLAN APs present in the
area, their operating channels and the beacon timings and other
information. The access terminal can then search for an access
point and can lock on to the beacon, at 1006, which can be the
beacon timing provided by the NM system. At 1008, a handoff can be
performed to switch the device from WWAN to WLAN and/or from WLAN
to WWAN, for example. Since the WLAN is typically connected to a
Broadband network, the call quality can be significantly improved
if the call transmission is redirected to the WLAN. The resolution
of video and graphics can be vastly improved and the mobile device
(e.g., access terminal) can be attached to a computer display to
take advantage of the high-resolution video call. This makes
possible enhanced services, such as enhanced performance or
performance in areas where access was previously unavailable.
Alternatively or in addition, in the IEEE 802.11n WLAN standard,
time based scheduling can take place. For example, the access point
can declare a schedule for transmission and/or reception of packets
to/from the access terminals. The access terminals can receive
packets at predetermined times and can then send packets when the
time to send packets occurs. These schedules can be communicated
and coordinated by a NM system through a WWAN signaling link. The
NM system can allocate different access terminals to different
access points along with the appropriate schedule information.
In a further embodiment, certain applications can have demanding
jitter needs and may need to receive timing from the network. For
example, in VoIP, jitter is the variation in time between packets
arriving and can be caused by network congestion, timing drift
and/or route changes. The accurate timing available at the mobile
device can be utilized for applications with jitter needs. The
access points and the mobile device can be driven from a network
clock. If the access point does not have an accurate clock, the
mobile device can provide timing to the access point, such as
through a GPS component that provides GPS functionality. The access
point can make this timing received from the mobile device
available by access terminals that are not dual mode and/or that do
not have timing functionality.
In a further embodiment, the WWAN and WLAN technologies can be
utilized to construct self-configuring ad-hoc networks. Ad-hoc
networks can operate in an infrastructure mode utilizing access
points, or can be wireless networks that comprise only stations
(e.g., mobile devices) but have no access points, or a network that
utilizes both infrastructure mode (access points) and peer-to-peer
mode. Ad-hoc networks can also be referred to as Independent Basic
Service Set (IBSS) Networks.
Ad-hoc networks can have different properties depending upon the
application scenarios. For example, in certain emergency scenarios
(e.g., disasters) different agencies (e.g., fire, police, security,
. . . ) might utilize different frequencies so that communications
can be maintained with minimal interruptions. Therefore, these
agencies may not be able to respond effectively or might have
difficulty communicating with each other. Dual mode access
terminals can provide low cost commercial systems that can address
the needs of multiple agencies during emergency (and routine)
situations.
Referring now to FIG. 11, illustrated is a methodology 1100 for
providing an ad-hoc network in situations where there is no
available access point. This can be beneficial inside a building
where emergency personnel, for example, have dual mode access
terminals. The method begins at 1102 where the terminals located
within a building or other contained area are in the WLAN mode.
When a message is initiated at a terminal, the terminal relays all
the information it has to access terminals within its vicinity.
Each terminal that receives the information relays the information
it has (both from the terminal user and from other terminals) to
terminals within their respective vicinities, at 1104. This relay
of information between the terminals forms the IBSS network, at
1106. The information, at 1108, eventually makes its way to an
access terminal, which can also have a WWAN connection. Thus, a
simple implementation in a rapidly changing emergency environment
can be formed for the access terminals to broadcast the information
it receives from the user of the terminal as well as other access
terminals in its vicinity. While this can create a non-optimal
utilization of bandwidth, it also provides sufficient redundancy
allowing the information to eventually be transmitted out of the
building and received by the appropriate recipient.
In an alternate embodiment, a more sophisticated implementation can
use Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) type of protocol for route
construction, as indicated at 1110. OSPF is an interior gateway
routing protocol originally developed for IP networks. The protocol
is based on the shortest part first or link-state algorithm that a
router can use to send routing information to the nodes in a
network. The shortest path to each node can be calculated based on
a topography that includes the nodes. However, it should be noted
that these protocols might take some time to converge and may not
be suitable in environments where the topology is constantly
changing.
FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary self-configuring ad-hoc network
1200 that can be constructed utilizing WLAN and/or WWAN
technologies. For example, a metropolitan area can be served by a
cluster of WLAN nodes for applications that should have high
bandwidth but do not require high mobility. Generally, backhauling
traffic from every LAN node on a fiber link to the WAN is an
expensive proposition, therefore, a self-configuring ad-hoc network
can provide a less expensive alternative.
As illustrated, mobile devices 1202 can communicate wirelessly with
a cluster of WLAN nodes 1204, 1206, 1208. A few nodes 1204, 1206
might be connected to a fiber backhaul facility 1210 while other
node(s) 1208 are not connected to the fiber backhaul facility 1210.
It should be appreciated that while one facility 1210 is shown, the
network can include more than one facility. The WLAN nodes 1204,
1206, 1208 can be utilized to relay traffic from a mobile device
1202 and/or a source node, such as node 1208 to a node connected by
fiber transmission facilities, such as nodes 1204 and 1206.
One or more nodes can be a hot spot nodes configured to operate on
multiple WLAN channels simultaneously, such as node 1208. One of
the channels 1212 can be utilized for picking up traffic from the
stations associated with the node. Another one (or more) channels
1214 can be utilized to perform the relay function. Alternatively,
a single channel 1216 can be associated with a hot spot node 1204
and the single channel 1216 can be utilized to pick up traffic and
perform the relay functionality.
Configuring the network topology, allocating channels to different
nodes and/or making routing decisions should be provided through
control, coordination, and communication between the WLAN nodes
1204, 1206, 1208. To achieve this functionality, one or more WLAN
nodes can have a WWAN function built into it, illustrated at node
1206. Dual functionality makes available an out of band channel
that can be utilized for control purposes.
A Network Management (NM) system 1218 can be associated with an
ad-hoc network 1200 to create an initial topography. The NM system
can also decide which channels to use 1212, 1214, 1216. Another
function of the NM system can be a determination of routing among
the nodes 1204, 1206, 1208.
By way of example and not limitation, a handset can be provided or
obtain information, through the WAN, for example, that a first
access point is at its peak or using the majority of its resources
at a certain time and at which frequency. A different access point,
in close proximity to the first access point may reach its peak at
a different time and/or on a different frequency. With this
information, the handset does not have to continuously tune to the
channel or frequency utilized by the second access point because it
can already be supplied with information about both the first and
second access point. In such a manner, the handset knows when to
tune and listen for the beacon of either access point. It can also
determine whether it can move to the different access point and/or
frequency utilizing both location and timing information.
Referring now to FIG. 13 illustrated is a methodology 1300 for
utilizing WLAN and/or WWAN technologies to construct a
self-configuring ad-hoc network similar to that shown and described
with reference to FIG. 12. The method begins at 1302 where each
node utilizes a WWAN channel to indicate its GPS coordinates, which
can be communicated to an NM system. The NM system, having
knowledge of the location of each node can create an initial
topology, at 1304. The topology is designed to achieve a rich
connectivity between the nodes and diverse routes from the nodes to
the node connected to the WAN by fiber. The NM system can also
decide the channels to be used as well as routing, at 1306. The
information pertinent to each node can be downloaded on the WWAN,
at 1308. Once the wireless hot spots are activated, further
measurements can be collected at 1310. The received signal
strengths can be sent to the NM system, at 1312, which can utilize
the initial topology and routing to take into account the actual
field conditions. In addition, the access point can utilize timing
information generated by the WWAN to synchronize itself.
The methodology and system described above is a centralized
approach and can be used for a large network of hot spots with
strong QoS needs. Capacity of the network can be maximized while
minimizing interference.
FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a methodology 1400 for
initializing neighbor lists on the WWAN control channel to
facilitate synchronization of access terminals. The methodology can
be utilized in a self-configuring Wireless Mesh network. The
methodology beings, at 1402, when the WLAN nodes initialize. At a
substantially similar time as the nodes initialize, they exchange
neighbor lists on the WWAN control channel, at 1404. These neighbor
lists can include information about access points in the
surrounding area and/or mobile devices that are utilizing those
access points. For example, the neighbor lists can include a timing
signal transmitted by the mobile device in response to a
communication over a WWAN. A protocol, such as Open Shortest Path
First (OSPF) can be utilized to exchange neighbor lists and create
shortest paths in a distributed manner. The exchange of timing
lists, at 1404, can include a second timing signal transmitted
through a WLAN and based upon the timing signal sent in response to
the communication over the WWAN. The mobile device or access
terminal can utilize the timing information generated by the WWAN
to self-synchronize, at 1406, for communication through the WLAN
with one or more other access terminals based on the second timing
signal. This can be done directly through the closest WWAN or WLAN
access point whose vicinity is known (e.g., from the neighbor list
or directly through its own WWAN function). Alternatively, it may
receive this information from an access terminal with combined WWAN
and WLAN functionality. For example, transmission of the timing
signal can include sending a timing signal from a first access
terminal to one or more other terminals that synchronizes with the
first access terminal.
FIG. 15 illustrates peer-to-peer communication 1500 in a WLAN
network. In certain scenarios, individual access terminals 1502 and
1504 can communicate with each other using one or more WLAN access
points 1506, 1508. To improve this communication, timing
information from WWAN access points 1508, 1510 can be utilized to
synchronize the access terminal clocks. It will be appreciated that
some access points can include only WLAN functionality 1506 or WWAN
functionality 1510 or a combination of both WLAN and WWAN
functionality 1508.
The timing information can be provided through the WLAN access
point, if the device has WWAN functionality 1512, 1514 or knowledge
of a WWAN access point. Alternatively, the WWAN functionality on
either or both access terminals can be utilized to provide this
information to the access terminals that can then use the
information to communicate over the WLAN.
FIG. 16 illustrates a methodology 1600 for registration and/or
authentication in an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) network.
An IBSS network is an IEEE 802.11-based wireless network that has
no backbone infrastructure. The IBSS network consists of at least
two wireless stations. An IBSS network can be referred to as an
ad-hoc network because it can be constructed quickly with little or
no planning. The WWAN functionality residing at either the access
terminal or WLAN access point can be utilized for registration
and/or authentication of the access terminal for communication or
access to services through the WLAN access point.
The method begins, at 1602, where a WWAN functionality at an access
terminal can indicate a device identification or registration
message (e.g., device identification residing on a subscriber
identity module). The first registration message can include an
encryption key. The device identification or registration message
can be authenticated through the WWAN from a first access terminal.
A second registration message or device identification can be
transmitted and provided to a WLAN access point or other services,
at 1604. The second registration message can be based on the first
registration message. The message to the WLAN can be transmitted
through either a backhaul or through an over the air token or air
interface obtained through the WWAN for the access terminal. This
also allows utilizing device specific encryption keys that can be
authenticated through a WWAN system or WLAN system.
The registration/authentication approach is beneficial in a
situation where a user of an access terminal is in wireless
communication with a kiosk having WLAN functionality but lacking a
broadband or complete backhaul connection to a network, e.g.,
Internet. In this situation, the authentication or billing
information for sales scenarios (e.g., music, video, or other
information) can be provided through the WWAN. For example, the
user identification whether it is device or user specific (e.g.,
password or encryption key), can be exchanged throughout the WWAN.
This enables the access terminal to obtain a token or other
authenticator, at 1606. The token or other authenticator can be
transmitted over the air to a kiosk, at 1608, allowing the access
terminal to access a video, song, or other multimedia content. In
such a manner, access through the WLAN is granted to the access
terminal. It should be appreciated that after the second
registration message is transmitted through the WWAN to the access
terminal, a third registration message, based on the second
registration message, can be sent from the access terminal to the
WLAN access point. This third registration message can be sent
through various media including an air interface.
This multimedia content can also be provided based upon the
location of the mobile device. For example, in a mall, multimedia
content can be provided from one or more retail store or other
retail establishments based on the user location as well as a
user-preference. The user-preference can be a preference previously
communicated by the user and stored in a memory of the mobile
device. A processor associated with the mobile device can analyze
the information stored in the memory and determine if multimedia
content should be accepted and communicated to the user or
disregarded and not communicated to the user of the device. In
another embodiment, the user-preference can be communicated to a
service provider who maintains the information. For example, if the
user is near a sporting goods store and previously specified that
such user does not desire any information (e.g. current sales or
price reductions, events, . . . ) relating to sports and/or
sporting goods, the information broadcast by that particular store
can be prevented from being transmitted to the user's mobile
device. It should be understood that multimedia content is optional
and the disclosed embodiments can be utilized without employing
multimedia content.
According to another embodiment, ad-hoc WLAN networks can be
coupled through WWAN. For example, if one or more IBSS networks are
discovered they can be coupled through a backhaul provided by the
WWAN. This might be available if one or more WLAN nodes/stations,
in a given IBSS, have discovered or been discovered by an access
point of the WWAN. This allows connection of WLAN stations, from
different IBSSs, through a WWAN backhaul that may have a greater
bandwidth or may have access to improved services. The different
IBSSs can provide radio coverage in different areas, which can be
non-continuous with respect to each other.
According to another embodiment is the ability for multi-cast
and/or broadcast in an IBSS network. Broadcast and multi-cast
messages can be provided through the WWAN backhaul. This can
facilitate providing broadcast or multi-cast messages or data based
upon location information. Further, this can provide the ability to
transmit synchronized broadcast or multi-cast messages based upon
timing information available through the WWAN (e.g., the timing
signal from a neighboring WWAN access point can be utilized for
timing purposes).
FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary ad-hoc mesh network 1700. The
network 1700 is illustrated as an ad-hoc network utilizing four
access points or base stations "A" 1702, "B" 1704, "C" 1706, and
"D" 1708. An ad-hoc mesh network 1700 can employ any number of
access points and four access points is chosen for illustration
purposes only. It should be understood that an ad-hoc mesh network
1700 can be a network in infrastructure mode utilizing access
points (as shown), a peer-to-peer network that does not utilize
access points, or a network that utilizes both infrastructure mode
(access points) and peer-to-peer mode.
The topology of network 1700 illustrates that access point A 1702
is connected through wireless communication to access points B
1704, access point C 1706 and/or access point D 1708. A decision
relating to efficient links should be established for the access
points. This decision can be performed through a wide area control
channel wherein each access point sends its GPS coordinate (or
other location means) to a central network management (NM) system
1710. NM system 1710 having the location of all the access points
1702, 1704, 1706, 1708 in the network 1700 determines the network
topology and the communication link between the access points 1702,
1704, 1706, 1708. For example, NM network 1710 might determine that
in the topology access point A 1702 should communicate with access
point B 1704, access point B 1704, should communicate with access
point C 1706, and access point C 1706 should communicate with
access point D 1708. NM system 1710 can also determine which
channel each access point should use as a function of frequency
management. For example, NM system 1710 can determine that access
point A 1702 should use channel A or a 20 MHz channel and that
access point B 1704 should use a different channel, such as a
different 20 MHz channel, etc.
In an ad-hoc network, access points can be deleted or added at any
time. However, the communication between the access points should
remain constant to provide a smooth transmission of communication.
When a major event occurs (disaster, etc.) the entire topology may
need to change. Thus, a control channel should be configured to
provide adequate connectivity without excessive interference. Each
access point can be configured with WLAN functionality, which
automatically configures each access point with a permissive
channel, allowing anyone to communicate through that network
management channel. This permissive channel mitigates problems
associated with lack of availability of the control channel. The
channel communicates its coordinates to the NM system 1710. This
can be established through any level of bandwidth, and a narrow
band WAN channel can be sufficient for this purpose. Once the
location information is received, the ad-hoc network can be
reconfigured or a new ad-hoc network established.
NM system 1710 can also provide the routing of specific packets.
The NM system 1710 can access each access point 1702, 1704, 1706,
1708 and provide or download to each access point 1702, 1704, 1706,
1708 a routing table. The routing table can provide routing
information for specific packets or specific types of packets. For
example if a voice packet is to be routed, NM system 1710 (through
the routing table) can instruct the access point that the voice
packet is to be routed to access point B 1704, then to access point
C 1706, then to access point D 1708, etc. until the voice packet
reaches its final destination. If the packet is a data packet, the
routing might be from access point D 1708 to access point B 1704 to
access point A 1702. A video packet might take a different route.
In such a manner, the NM system 1710 is determining both the
topology or configuration of the ad-hoc network 1700 and how the
packets are routed in real time. Thus, a WWAN network can provide
powerful control and signaling capabilities to manage the ad-hoc
network(s) 1700 and can provide data paths to make up for
connectivity gaps in a WLAN network. It should be understood that
the routing and/or topology discussed is for example purposes and
is not meant to limit the disclosed embodiments.
NM system 1710 can take into account traffic sensitivity to
determine packet routing. For example, links can be reestablished
during certain times of the day, week, etc. NM system 1710 can
monitor the traffic during potentially peak times (e.g. morning
rush hour, evening rush hour, . . . ). During such times, there can
be a certain flow of traffic and the routing or links can be set-up
and/or changed on demand, with a high level of flexibility.
In a network that is operating in a peer-to-peer mode (no access
points) or a combination of infrastructure mode and a peer-to-peer
mode, the handsets are utilized to establish the network, or a
portion of the network. In such a situation, a NM system might not
be utilized since the configuration of the network can change
quickly. In this situation, each handset broadcasts its information
and the handsets that receive the information would rebroadcast the
information to other handsets. This passing off or rebroadcast of
the information would continue until the information reaches its
destination. In such a peer-to-peer ad-hoc network, a first handset
A might communicate to handset B utilizing WLAN. Handset B might
communicate with handset C utilizing WWAN. The handsets can
communicate utilizing mixed modes or sets, provided the handsets
have WWAN, WWAN, WPAN, Wi-Fi, etc. functionality.
With reference now to FIG. 18, illustrated is a system 1800 that
facilitates coordinated communication between multiple
communication protocols in a wireless communication environment in
accordance with one or more of the disclosed embodiments. System
1800 can reside in an access point and/or in a user device. System
1800 comprises a receiver 1802 that can receive a signal from, for
example, a receiver antenna. The receiver 1802 can perform typical
actions thereon, such as filtering, amplifying, downconverting,
etc. the received signal. The receiver 1802 can also digitizes the
conditioned signal to obtain samples. A demodulator 1804 can obtain
received symbols for each symbol period, as well as provide
received symbols to a processor 1806.
Processor 1806 can be a processor dedicated to analyzing
information received by receiver component 1802 and/or generating
information for transmission by a transmitter 1816. Processor 1806
control one or more components of user device 1800, and/or
processor 1806 that analyzes information received by receiver 1802,
generates information for transmission by transmitter 1816 and
controls one or more components of user device 1800. Processor 1806
may include a controller component capable of coordinating
communications with additional user devices.
User device 1800 can additionally comprise memory 1808 that is
operatively coupled to processor 1806 and that stores information
related to coordinating communications and any other suitable
information. Memory 1808 can additionally store protocols
associated with coordinating communication. It will be appreciated
that the data store (e.g., memories) components described herein
can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include
both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and
not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory
(ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM
(EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory.
Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts
as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not
limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM
(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data
rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM
(SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1808 of the
subject systems and/or methods is intended to comprise, without
being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.
User device 1800 still further comprises a symbol modulator 1810
and a transmitter 1812 that transmits the modulated signal.
FIG. 19 is an illustration of a system 1900 that facilitates
coordination of communication protocols in accordance with various
aspects. System 1900 comprises a base station or access point 1902.
As illustrated, base station 1902 receives signal(s) from one or
more user devices 1904 by a receive antenna 1906, and transmits to
the one or more user devices 1904 through a transmit antenna
1908.
Base station 1902 comprises a receiver 1910 that receives
information from receive antenna 1906 and is operatively associated
with a demodulator 1912 that demodulates received information.
Demodulated symbols are analyzed by a processor 1914 that is
coupled to a memory 1916 that stores information related to code
clusters, user device assignments, lookup tables related thereto,
unique scrambling sequences, and the like. A modulator 1918 can
multiplex the signal for transmission by a transmitter 1920 through
transmit antenna 1908 to user devices 1904.
FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system
2000. Wireless communication system 2000 depicts one base station
and one terminal for sake of brevity. However, it is to be
appreciated that system 2000 can include more than one base station
or access point and/or more than one terminal or user device,
wherein additional base stations and/or terminals can be
substantially similar or different for the exemplary base station
and terminal described below. In addition, it is to be appreciated
that the base station and/or the terminal can employ the systems
and/or methods described herein to facilitate wireless
communication there between.
Referring now to FIG. 20, on a downlink, at access point 1905, a
transmit (TX) data processor 2010 receives, formats, codes,
interleaves, and modulates (or symbol maps) traffic data and
provides modulation symbols ("data symbols"). A symbol modulator
2015 receives and processes the data symbols and pilot symbols and
provides a stream of symbols. A symbol modulator 2015 multiplexes
data and pilot symbols and obtains a set of N transmit symbols.
Each transmit symbol may be a data symbol, a pilot symbol, or a
signal value of zero. The pilot symbols may be sent continuously in
each symbol period. The pilot symbols can be frequency division
multiplexed (FDM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexed
(OFDM), time division multiplexed (TDM), frequency division
multiplexed (FDM), or code division multiplexed (CDM).
A transmitter unit (TMTR) 2020 receives and converts the stream of
symbols into one or more analog signals and further conditions
(e.g., amplifies, filters, and frequency upconverts) the analog
signals to generate a downlink signal suitable for transmission
over the wireless channel. The downlink signal is then transmitted
through an antenna 2025 to the terminals. At terminal 2030, an
antenna 2035 receives the downlink signal and provides a received
signal to a receiver unit (RCVR) 2040. Receiver unit 2040
conditions (e.g., filters, amplifies, and frequency downconverts)
the received signal and digitizes the conditioned signal to obtain
samples. A symbol demodulator 2045 obtains N received symbols and
provides received pilot symbols to a processor 2050 for channel
estimation. Symbol demodulator 2045 further receives a frequency
response estimate for the downlink from processor 2050, performs
data demodulation on the received data symbols to obtain data
symbol estimates (which are estimates of the transmitted data
symbols), and provides the data symbol estimates to an RX data
processor 2055, which demodulates (e.g., symbol demaps),
deinterleaves, and decodes the data symbol estimates to recover the
transmitted traffic data. The processing by symbol demodulator 2045
and RX data processor 2055 is complementary to the processing by
symbol modulator 2015 and TX data processor 1910, respectively, at
access point 2005.
On the uplink, a TX data processor 2060 processes traffic data and
provides data symbols. A symbol modulator 2065 receives and
multiplexes the data symbols with pilot symbols, performs
modulation, and provides a stream of symbols. A transmitter unit
2070 then receives and processes the stream of symbols to generate
an uplink signal, which is transmitted by the antenna 2035 to the
access point 2005.
At access point 2005, the uplink signal from terminal 2030 is
received by the antenna 2025 and processed by a receiver unit 2075
to obtain samples. A symbol demodulator 2080 then processes the
samples and provides received pilot symbols and data symbol
estimates for the uplink. An RX data processor 2085 processes the
data symbol estimates to recover the traffic data transmitted by
terminal 2030. A processor 2090 performs channel estimation for
each active terminal transmitting on the uplink.
Processors 2090 and 2050 direct (e.g., control, coordinate, manage,
etc.) operation at access point 2005 and terminal 2030,
respectively. Respective processors 2090 and 2050 can be associated
with memory units (not shown) that store program codes and data.
Processors 2090 and 2050 can also perform computations to derive
frequency and impulse response estimates for the uplink and
downlink, respectively.
For a multiple-access system (e.g., FDMA, OFDMA, CDMA, TDMA, etc.),
multiple terminals can transmit concurrently on the uplink. For
such a system, the pilot subbands may be shared among different
terminals. The channel estimation techniques may be used in cases
where the pilot subbands for each terminal span the entire
operating band (possibly except for the band edges). Such a pilot
subband structure would be desirable to obtain frequency diversity
for each terminal. The techniques described herein may be
implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be
implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For a
hardware implementation, the processing units used for channel
estimation may be implemented within one or more application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors
(DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable
logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other
electronic units designed to perform the functions described
herein, or a combination thereof. With software, implementation can
be through modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that
perform the functions described herein. The software codes may be
stored in memory unit and executed by the processors 2090 and
2050.
It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein may be
implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode,
or any combination thereof. When the systems and/or methods are
implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, program
code or code segments, they may be stored in a machine-readable
medium, such as a storage component. A code segment may represent a
procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a
subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any
combination of instructions, data structures, or program
statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment
or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,
data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information,
arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or
transmitted using any suitable means including memory sharing,
message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
For a software implementation, the techniques described herein may
be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so
on) that perform the functions described herein. The software codes
may be stored in memory units and executed by processors. The
memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to
the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to
the processor through various means as is known in the art.
What has been described above includes examples of one or more
embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes
of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary
skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the
described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term
"includes" is used in either the detailed description or the
claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when
employed as a transitional word in a claim.
* * * * *